Today, I have many clients confused when trying to explain their “design style,” not wanting to commit to just one, fearing they might end with the wrong result.

Combining hints of contemporary with a nod of tradition is a popular request. And, then, there are those few flea markets finds and grandmas heirlooms that often find their way into the final concept.

In design, rules were meant to be broken. So now, my clients explain their favorite space, picture, vacation, store, color, fabric, texture and feeling, designing their own customized style.

A recent project is the perfect eclectic example. When the project was complete, the customers’ personality was clearly present as soon as you walked in the door, providing just the feeling and emotions they were seeking. Each new item blended perfectly with the old, making the design combination unique and in keeping with the home’s architecture.

Furnishings from stores like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware were fused with antiques and whimsical pieces. Many case goods were customized for the space while traditional lighting and modern décor found a designated place.

To call this “modern ranch” is a possibility, with single-story living and open layouts.

The floor plan maximizes daylight and provides natural ventilation, with the main areas centering informally around the kitchen.

In the living room, a wall of sliding glass doors brings the outdoors in, opening to the back deck that overlooks the city.

The balance of color and texture add warmth to what is a very airy floor plan. The grouping of traditional and contemporary could be considered transitional in style. And at the end of the day, it matched the clients perfectly.